HOW?

How do I get this done? Ive lost 230 lbs. I have a ton of skin hanging around my middle. INsurance says NO. I cant afford it any other way... I feel like Ive done all this only to get almost there.. but now I cant get to the end. Im falling into a depression that I cant see a way out of. There has to be a way. Im ready to beg for charity. Im desperate. Ive heard all the "youve come so far, dont give up now. look at what you can do.. blah blah blah." I m not ungreatful for the comments and I knwo they are right. But I still feel like this is all for nothing if I still have this giant flab of skin hanging around my middle. Does ANYONE out there have any ideas? SUggestions? Id even surrender myself to a teaching case at this point. HELP somebody please...

Go thru a residency program or to Mexico.

I don't know what insurance coverage you have, or if you've tried to appeal, but most do cover a panniculectomy, and then you would only have to pay the difference to turn that into a tummy-tuck.  You also may want to look into residency programs where a medical student and an experienced surgeon will do your procedure together.  Finally, there is the option of out-of-country surgery, which is what I chose myself, and so far, I'm thrilled!

You need to find out why they said no.  Do they not cover panniculectomies at all or do you just not meet the criteria needed?  If it's the former, then there's nothing you really can do.  If it's the latter, then you need to find out what the criteria is so you can work on getting the proper documentation to get approval.

Good luck!

Many doctors also take Care Credit which will give you an interest-free loan for 18 months. What about taking a second job? I am going to start tutoring in the fall as a second job so that I can pay off the plastics I'm about to have and then start saving for the next round.

Laura